Submitted photo Miriam Papa of Youngstown, left, talks to vendor Kiara Lutz of Ki’s Kustoms about Pink Out merchandise for Breast Cancer Awareness. Papa stopped by the Pink Out Mahoning Valley Music Festival to check it out Sunday at Austintown Township Park after a friend told her about it. Approximately 1,200 people attended the third annual event throughout the day.

Staff report

AUSTINTOWN — Miriam Papa of Youngstown stopped by the 2025 Pink Out Mahoning Valley Music Festival at Austintown Township Park on Sunday afternoon after hearing about it from a friend.

She was one of about 1,200 who attended throughout the day, according to one of the organizers, Jenah Shank of Austintown.

The event, which takes place the first weekend in October to kick off Breast Cancer Awareness Month, is in its third year and seems to grow each year.

“It’s nice. There’s more than I realized here,” she said. “The music, the food, all the crafts, it’s a really nice day.”

The event is not a fundraiser, but a celebration of breast cancer survivors and those who lost their battle.

“What a pleasure it has been to be part of the Pink Out for the past three years. It means a lot,” said musician Becky Kimble.

The event began at noon and featured a full lineup of music performances throughout the day, including Rachell Joy, One Fine Day, Julie Benner, Mark Mecozzi, Don Tanner, David & Hermie Granati, Dombrowski, The David Ward Project, Solo Sixstring, Dave & Steve, Becky Kimble & Jen Carey Duo, Silver Springs: A Fleetwood Wood Mac Experience, the Fitch Rock Band (select members), Sue Lovato, Shank and Jonathan O’Connor.

The event also featured various vendors. Attendees were encouraged to bring lawn chairs or blankets and to wear pink.

Sponsors included Pink Out Mahoning Valley /Pink Out America, a 501(c)3; Tommy’s Express Car Wash in Austintown; Grace Exterminating; Card My Yard; The Truckers 4 Jesus Truck Stop Ministry; Silver Springs: A Fleetwood Mac Experience; Texas Roadhouse in Boardman; and JR’z Pub in Austintown.

The Austintown Youth Football Cheerleaders also made an appearance.

“Cancer impacts so many of us in so many ways. It’s hard on individuals, families, friends. We just wanted to do something to celebrate survivors and show some support for anyone going through treatment or dealing with a cancer diagnosis,” said Sheila Kroll-Dickinson, a cofounder of the event.”It’s about supporting one another, encouraging each other and having some fun in the process.”